According to a new U.S. Congressional report, makers of bottled water have less regulation than that of tap water. According to the report, the "FDA does not have the specific statutory authority to require bottlers to use certified laboratories for water quality tests or to report test results, even if violations of the standards are found." With the relatively high price of bottled water and their many slick marketing messages and claims, we're guessing like us, you may also be at least a little concerned. It should also be noted that bottled water has been recalled numerous times due to contamination with arsenic, bromate, cleaning compounds, mold, and bacteria. Just this April, a dozen students at a California junior high school reportedly were sickened after drinking bottled water from a vending machine. If you like the taste and health benefits of clean filtered water, it just might be best to purchase your own water filtration solution for your home and leave the bottled water in it's plastic container. After all, the plastic bottle isn't going anywhere anytime soon!

Beginning this fall, 11 additional military hospitals and clinics will provide access to chiropractic services for active duty military members, reports the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

Included in the list of sites tentatively scheduled to open on Sept. 30, 2009, are military treatment facilities located in Germany and Okinawa, Japan—marking the first time in the history of the Chiropractic Care Program that overseas active duty military members will have access to chiropractic.

"Increasing the number of military men and women with access to the essential services provided by doctors of chiropractic is an accomplishment we can all be proud of, especially with the long-over-due expansion to overseas facilities," said ACA President Glenn D. Manceaux, DC. "Research has shown that the most common pain complaint among injured soldiers is low back pain, and let there be no doubt, doctors of chiropractic are the ideal providers to not only treat back pain, but also to help our service members prevent injuries."

The 11 new locations join the 49 military clinics and hospitals currently providing chiropractic care. For a complete list of military facilities offering chiropractic care to active duty service members, visit the TRICARE Web site at www.tricare.mil/ChiropracticCare.

Doctors of chiropractic who are interested in applying for positions at any of the 11 sites should monitor the federal government's employment Web site, www.usajobs.gov. In addition, ACA will provide application information as it becomes available.

Results of a 20-year long study on monkeys could provide insight to one of the secrets of living a longer, healthy and disease-free life. According to researchers, a reduced calorie diet could be the key. Rhesus monkeys consuming a calorie restricted diet were 3x less likely to die from age-related diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes during the 20-year study as compared to monkeys that ate as they liked. Another interesting finding was that the calorie restricted monkeys also had more brain volume in some regions, suggesting diet may also improve brain health in aging as well. Researchers fed the calorie restricted monkeys 1/3 less than what their counterparts were eating at their leisure. Clearly humans are not primates. However, since similar findings have been reported in yeast, worms, flies and rodents, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to speculate that humans might also benefit from certain calorie restriction. It should be noted that no studies of this nature have been conducted on humans and to restrict calories in this manner could be harmful and is in no way recommended. What we do hope readers take from this new study is the understanding on how going in the other direction, in other words overeating, can have devastating effects on one's health.

A newly published study indicates the knowledge most orthopedic surgeons and family physicians possess in managing simple low back pain (LBP) is far from stellar. The exact wording from the study abstract includes, "Both orthopaedic surgeons' and family physicians' knowledge of treating LBP is deficient." While our objective is not to bash the medical profession, we do want our patients and the general public to understand that the management of even simple back pain is often difficult. This is why chiropractors spend a significant number of years learning about and studying the back and spine as well as unique, safe, natural and effective ways to properly manage the many conditions that arise in this area. The results - Millions of people around the world have experienced the relief from pain and better overall health and wellness as a result of their chiropractic care. Perhaps you've heard as so many others have that chiropractors are the experts in treating back pain and many other conditions of the spine, extremities and body. If you or someone you know is suffering from back pain or other aches and pains, take that first step in getting relief – pick up the phone and call our office today!